1 Corinthians 4:6-21 Comments by Stephen Ricker
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True Christian Leaders
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I. At the End of the Procession (4:6-13)

>1. What does it mean "Do not go beyond what is written" and how does it apply to Bible study?

* 1 Corinthians 4:6 "Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another."

* The apostles lived a hard life. They were poor. They endured persecution. All but John was killed. They had no home. They were ridiculed. They did not have fine clothes. They went without food and drink.

People who have often poorly judge those who have not. People who are wise often poorly judge those who are not. People who are strong often judge those who are not. The poor and strong judge the rich.

I have heard messengers state that God intends us to be rich. If that was true for all Christians, then why wasn't it true for the apostles? Why did Paul write, "For it seems to me that God has put us, apostles, on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena? We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings." The truth is some will be rich and some are poor.

I have very little in this world. I am not rich. It's easy to envy and covenant. Yet, Jesus and Paul did not. They helped all kinds of people no matter their life circumstances.

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>How did their practice of this lead them to take pride in a man?

* "Then you will not take pride in one man over against another"

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>2. Why isn't there any room to boast about yourself or anyone else? (7)

* 1 Corinthians 4:7 "For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?"

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>3. What is the common misconception about what people want, especially riches? (8a)

* 1 Corinthians 4:8a "Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings--and that without us!"

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>What are true riches? (19-21)

* Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

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>What does Paul mean by bringing up being kings? (8b, 6:2-3; Matt.19:28-30; Rev. 17:14)

* 1 Corinthians 4:8b "How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you!"

* 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!"

* Matthew 19:28-30 "Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first."

* Revelation 17:14 "They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."

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>4. Who is normally at the end of processions (parades)?

* 1 Corinthians 4:9 "For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men."

* In Roman times condemned men, those used as human fodder were just before the street cleaners (dung cleaners). Dung cleaners are at the end of a parade.

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>Why was Paul comparing apostles to the Corinthian Christians? (10)

* 1 Corinthians 4:10 "We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!"

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>What was the human state of the apostles? (11)

* 1 Corinthians 4:11-13 "To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world."

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>Why would God allow this to happen to his loved ones?

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II. The Kingdom of God is a Matter of Power (4:14-21)

>5. Why was Paul warning them? (14-15)

* 1 Corinthians 4:14-15 "I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel."

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>Considering the life Paul just described an apostle led, why is his exhortation to imitate him hard?

* 1 Corinthians 4:16 "Therefore I urge you to imitate me."

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>How is this the same as Jesus' life while on this world?

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>6. Who did Paul send to them and why?

* 1 Corinthians 4:17 "For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church."

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>What does "life in Christ Jesus" tell us?

* "life in Christ Jesus"

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>How can and should we be an example to others?

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>7. What does arrogant mean? (18)

* 1 Corinthians 4:18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you."

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>How can a Christian become arrogant?

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>How can we avoid becoming arrogant?

* "arrogant" -Arrogant means making claims or pretensions to superior importance or rights; overbearingly assuming; insolently proud.

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>8. What did Paul say his intentions were?

* 1 Corinthians 4:19 "But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have."

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>What did he qualify his plans with?

* "if the Lord is willing"

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>What two things was he going to find out?

* "then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking"

* "what power they have"

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>9. What kind of power is in the kingdom of God? (20)

* 1 Corinthians 4:20 "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power."

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>10. What was Paul willing to do with those he not only lead to Christ, but also taught for a year? (21)

* 1 Corinthians 4:21 "What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?"

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>Under what circumstances was Paul willing to use his authority?

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